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TRAVEL |
Tourists make tempting targets especially overseas. If
someone approaches you in the street,
its probably a scam as are any type of distraction that
takes your mind off of your money or belongings. |
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Won an all-expense-paid trip-Free vacation
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Offers to become a travel agent
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Urgent deal, offer expires at midnight or last day
for this offer
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Join a discount travel club
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Lots of very small print in a contract
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Street vendors who approaches you
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Receive a travel deal by email or phone
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Your travel may open your home to burglars
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Travel deals in which the 'availability' is more
than 60 days away
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Dial a 900, 809, 758, 664 telephone number for
travel agency/club
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Companies that have web site with only an email
contact
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Payment required before you receive all the
information
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Wont accept credit
cards, demands direct transfer of
funds
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Precautions
You Should Take In The United States |
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Airfare may be free, but there could be a clause in the
contract that states you must stay in very
expensive accommodations.
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Never buy travel insurance from the company that booked
your trip.
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Beware of strangers who approach you on the street, even
if you must be rude.
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Never give your credit card number over the phone unless
you made the phone call and you know that you're dealing
with a reputable company.
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Ask what's NOT included in an offer, e.g. service
charges, processing fees, taxes.
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Get details! If information is vague, drop the
investigation.
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Be wary of travel deals in which the 'availability' is
more than 60 days away, there are usually legal limitations.
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Get copies of everything, e.g. receipts, itinerary,
cancellation and refund policies.
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Never pay to get the information.
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Read all the fine print.
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Pay now
for future travel is generally worthless.
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Travel agent trys to sell you a protection plan from an
unlicensed company, it is worthless.
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Legitimate businesses don't expect you to make snap
decisions.
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All information about the trip must be in writing never
agree to verbal's.
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Be wary of "great deals" and low-priced offers, few
legitimate businesses can afford to give away products
and services of real value or substantially undercut
other companies' prices.
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Placing your business card into a drawing for a free
vacation may be nothing more than a telemarketing
call-out list.
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Tour operator may offer you a package for a big event,
but may not
actually have tickets to the event.
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Travel
agency requiring cash payment are probably worthless.
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Getting a call for a free trip is a
scam.
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Going to a football game or in long
term parking don't leave your GPS, Garage Door Opener,
registration/insurance card or other ID in card. Thieves
can break into your car, steal information & go to your
house
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On your GPS do not put in "Home" to
take you home. Put in another name, like "Grandma"
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Precautions
You Should Take Overseas |
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Protect your luggage in crowded transportation areas.
Keep it between your legs.
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Use a money belt, under clothes flat pouch,
or a fake wallet
stacked with advertising credit cards
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Don't pay with too large a bill If you do clearly state
the value of the bill as you hand it over so there is no
misunderstanding.
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Watch out for a money switch,
they may give you a coin that looks like an EU coin but
isn't.
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Treat any commotion (a
scuffle breaking out, a beggar in your face) as a
potential scam.
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Say "No" to locals who may want
to help you at an ATM or station locker.
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Official-looking railroad
attendants may be looking for more than just helping you.
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Be suspicious when invited for a drink
by someone you just met. if you want to go out together,
suggest a place of your choosing.
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Fake police
ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills or "drug
money." Never give your wallet to anyone.
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Steer clear of groups of
raggedy clothed
young people.
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Room "inspectors" are con men.
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Good-looking woman arguing
with a street vendor strips to prove innocence and
you'll find
your wallet gone.
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Shop's cashier speaking phone takes a
picture of your credit card.
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To not be overcharged by a taxi
driver get a quote before you start and know the route
that should be taken.
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Only buy gems, stones or
precious metals at approved government outlets.
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It may be illegal to buy
antiques older than a certain number of years,
especially if
sold by street vendors, e.g. military medals.
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If you are approached by someone in
uniform with a request, make sure you move into a
well-lit or crowded place, ask to see identification and
write down the number.
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Taxi scam will claim they have to make a detour; they
must take the auto
route/motorway, starting the meter at a higher rate or
the
meter is broken (write down the agreed amount before you
start).
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Cashiers who "slow count" with odd pauses in hopes the
rushed tourist will gather up the money early.
TO FILE A COMPLAINT GO TO THE
COMPLAINTS SECTION BY CLICKING HERE
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NOTICE: We provide this Encyclopedia
as a public service. Unfortunately we do not have the manpower to answer
all of your emails or questions on specific topics. We, therefore, do not
post our telephone number or address as all our communications are
through email.
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copyright
2011 -
www.stopthescam.org |
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